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2011 - A review of the in-house year

2010 was definitely a year of two halves. The first six months saw a large proportion of permanent recruitment put on hold and most placements made were on an interim basis. However as the year progressed there was a gradual increase in permanent opportunities, which has remained throughout 2011.

With commercial activity far from ‘business as usual’, the role of the in-house lawyer has often become more complicated, involved and busy. Over the last couple of years redundancies in other parts of the business have led to a moratorium on recruitment so legal teams have had to struggle on with the numbers they had (or sometimes with the help of a secondee).

Since the beginning of 2011 there has been a significant swing towards recruiting permanent members of staff again. This has been made even more exciting as there has been a mix of senior and junior roles (although given the number of solicitors looking at the senior end of the market it probably doesn’t feel this way), as well as first time legal appointments.

In 2011 we’ve worked with BAE Systems, Co-operative Financial Services, The Duchy of Lancaster, National Computer Centres, Psion, Eric Wright, Cott Beverages, Boots, National Grid, AstraZeneca, Vestas, Drax Power, St Andrews Healthcare and DHL to name but a few.

There’s also been an increase in the sought-after 2-4 years qualified lawyers from strong commercial firms. In many cases it’s experience gained on secondment during the downturn that’s sparked these lawyers’ interest and desire to make the move into industry.  Hopefully this is the silver lining to what has been a difficult time for the in-house legal market.

Salaries have become important again too – over the past couple of years just having or being offered a job has been sufficient. This focus is likely to increase salaries through 2011, and as they’ve remained static since late 2008 the correction is probably justified.

2011 has been a busy year for our in-house team and one that’s seen us working with clients based outside our usual locations. We’ve also provided CPD to a record number of in-house lawyers through our links with the Commerce and Industry Group and many of the UK’s leading law firms – Pinsent Masons, Browne Jacobson, Shoosmiths, DLA, DWF and Pannone.

Although dark clouds still remain we’re seeing strong activity in all regions – so if you’re a lawyer in private practice looking for a move in-house, get in touch.